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Toyota, Maruti confirm mild, strong hybrid engines for new midsize SUVs

The Urban Cruiser Hyryder and its Maruti counterpart will begin production at Toyota's Karnataka plant in August.
2 min read24 Jun '22
Akbar MerchantAkbar Merchant
66K+ views
Toyota Maruti mid-size SUVs

The Toyota-Maruti Suzuki alliance that was formed back in 2017 is now ready to take its next big step in India. The brands have announced that the two midsize SUVs they're jointly working on will have electrified petrol powertrains, with mild-hybrid tech supplied from Maruti Suzuki and strong hybrid from Toyota.

We can confirm that both hybrid systems will be based on the 1.5-litre K15C petrol engine from Maruti Suzuki, with lower variants getting the mild-hybrid versions, while higher versions get the full-hybrid set-up.

  • Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder to go on sale in August
  • Will be exported to markets like Africa
  • SUVs to rival the Creta, Seltos, Kushaq and Taigun

We have been reporting details about these jointly developed SUVs for quite some time on both our website and magazine (April 2022 issue).

Toyota’s version of this new SUV will be called the Urban Cruiser Hyryder and see a global debut on July 1, 2022, while its Maruti Suzuki counterpart is expected to be unveiled later that month.

Update: Toyota gives a glimpse of the upcoming Hyryder SUV

The upcoming SUVs will be positioned in the hotly contested midsize SUV segment that includes heavyweights like the Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos, along with the Volkswagen group’s India 2.0 models – the Skoda Kushaq and the VW Taigun.

Confirming our previous story from April, both brands have now announced that these SUVs will be built by Toyota from August at its Bidadi plant number 2. Toyota’s version of the midsize SUV, the Urban Cruiser Hyryder, is expected to go on sale by late August, followed by its Maruti Suzuki counterpart.

These SUVs will be sold in India and will also be exported to markets like Africa where Toyota-branded Maruti Suzuki models like the Urban Cruiser and Starlet (Glanza for India) are already on sale.

Both models will be five-seat SUVs and come loaded with features and safety equipment similar to the ones seen on the newer Toyota-Maruti Suzuki models including the Baleno, Glanza and the upcoming Brezza that will go on sale on June 30, 2022 in India.

3 out of every 5 Hyundai Cretas sold in India have a sunroof

According to Tarun Garg of Hyundai India, the sunroof is now a 'critical feature' across the brand's model range.
2 min read24 Jun '22
Saumil ShahSaumil Shah
Hyundai Creta sunroof

Tata Motors conducting ‘detailed investigation' into Nexon EV fire

The Nexon EV uses LFP cells, which are more forgiving under thermal stress than NMC cells, although the exact cause of the fire is still unknown.
2 min read23 Jun '22
Saptarshi MondalSaptarshi Mondal
Tata Nexon EV fire
Tata Nexon EV fire

Mahindra XUV700 bags Global NCAP’s Safer Choice award

The XUV700 is the second car from Mahindra's stable to get the award after the XUV300 won it in 2020.
2 min read23 Jun '22
Pradyumna KalagiPradyumna Kalagi
Mahindra XUV700 Global NCAP crash test

Kia Carens scores 3-star Global NCAP safety rating

The Carens was tested in its most basic safety specification that already includes six airbags and ESC.
3 min read23 Jun '22
Saptarshi MondalSaptarshi Mondal
Kia Carens GNCAP crash test

Top 5 premium hatchbacks on sale in India

Autocar India ranks all premium hatchbacks based on their features, powertrains, safety equipment, and more.
3 min read23 Jun '22
Saptarshi MondalSaptarshi Mondal
Top 5 premium hatchbacks rated